Facts you should know about fluoride
Dr Gordon Tam • May 21, 2020
We use fluoride everyday. It is important to our body. Do you know what is fluoride and where we can commonly find it?

Functions of fluoride
Fluoride is a natural mineral that is found in our body (bones and teeth), and the natural environments such as water, soil, plants, rocks and even in the air.
Fluoride is important to us especially to our teeth as it helps to strengthen the most outer layer, the enamel and fights against cavities. The most common products you used with fluoride in it are our water (in SIngapore’s context) and toothpastes.
- Prevent demineralization caused by the loss of minerals by strengthening the structure of tooth to prevent bacteria on tooth surface from ‘eating away’ the enamel
- Direct application of fluoride to reduce tooth sensitivity
- Increase the rate of remineralization
- Helps to fight against acid produced by plaque, blocking harmful enzymes that weakens the tooth enamel
Who needs fluoride?
All of us need fluoride. Depending on dietary habits and age, we require different quantities of fluoride ‘consumption’. As our public water supply has fluoride in it, it contributes to our consumption.
However, for some of us who tend to get cavities easier than others, your dentist may suggest regular fluoride treatment or prescribe mouth rinse that contains higher concentration of fluoride than those sold over-the-counters.
Professional fluoride treatment
Usually we only get to find out we needed more fluoride than others from our dentist. They are the right person to advise how much fluoride we need and how we can get it. During a dental visit, the dentist will check on our dental history and current oral conditions. Based on these, they can determine the application of fluoride treatment, and how often we need to receive the treatment.
After the fluoride treatment, avoid drinking or eating for 30 minutes.
What is Fluorosis?
Fluorosis is a condition that affects the tooth appearance. It is caused by the over exposure to fluoride at the young age, especially before the age of eight where most of our permanent teeth are being formed.
When our baby teeth start to drop and adult teeth emerge, the adult teeth will seem to appear slightly discolored and look different from those who do not have fluorosis.
Fluorosis usually occurs with over consumption of fluoride and toothpaste is one of the most common culprits. Even if the child knows how to spit out toothpaste with fluoride, the fluoride will be absorbed through daily brushing.
The over accumulation of fluoride in a child’s body through swallowing of toothpaste will affect the adult teeth that are still embedded in the gums before they emerge.
In some more severe cases, we can see the discoloration of teeth from yellow to shades of brown and the surfaces of the teeth are uneven, with pits noticed on the teeth.
Apart from fluorosis affecting the appearance of the teeth and contributing to the overall aesthetic appearance, it is not a disease.
What is water fluoridation?
Water fluoridation is adding and adjusting a controlled amount of fluoride to the public water supply. The main objective is to reduce tooth decay. The fluoridated water is effective to prevent cavities.
Tooth decay is one of the main health concerns in countries around the world. Some countries do not have public water fluoridation, hence resulting in higher rates of developing cavities among the population.
Studies have shown that since the 1950s in the United States of America, tooth decay rate has declined due to the introduction of water fluoridation to the public water supply.
Fluoride is good for us at the right quantity
We are fortunate to have clean public water supply and the water has adjusted quantities of fluoride in it to help us fight cavities. With proper diet and good oral hygiene, we should absorb sufficient fluoride.
To maintain a healthy set of teeth and gums, apart from good oral habits, we need regular professional help to do routine dental checkup and cleaning. It helps us to detect any oral issues early.
For more information and consultation, please contact Smile Design Dental Practice at +65 6463 8588.
To serve you better, we are available by Appointment Only.
Please contact us to schedule for an appointment.

Almost all of us needed a dental filling at some point of time in our lives. A dental filling is a restoration work done to our tooth that might have chipped off or decay. There are several choices of materials used to replace the partial missing tooth structure. Dental fillings will deteriorate over time, due to wear and tear, bad habits, or even simply they were not properly done in the first place.

What is a dental treatment plan? A dental treatment plan is a detailed plan that the dentist documents his findings after an oral examination. It reflects the current condition of each tooth that may require treatment. This treatment plan gives you a clear idea of the ideal and recommended treatment options and treatment fees. You will also know how long each treatment will take so that you can better plan your dental treatments into your schedule. In Smile Design Dental Practice, we conduct a thorough tooth-by-tooth examination, taking photographs with our intraoral camera and microscope. After the examination and dental charting, our dentists will share with you your current oral condition and customize a treatment plan. We listen to your needs and concerns, understand your considerations on time and budget. The treatment plan is customized to suit your considerations.

Many people pay more attention to adult teeth as the adult teeth will accompany us throughout the majority of our lifespan. While this is true, it is also very important to pay special attention to our baby teeth. Toddlers who are teething at this stage, are also starting to take in semi-solids and converting from liquid to solid food. Our baby teeth play a vital role here to chew well so that the food get digested properly, and absorb nutrients for growth.

Here are some professional advices that may help you to reduce plaque build up around your teeth and gum. 1. Brush Twice a Day It is crucial to brush your teeth twice daily to keep your oral health in check, using a soft-bristle toothbrush or a soft-bristle electric toothbrush can aid you to clean your teeth and gums effectively. By spending at least two to three minutes brushing each time ensures you cover all surfaces of your teeth. This helps to remove food particles and prevent plaque buildup. 2. Floss Daily Flossing is just as important as brushing, as it removes plaque and food debris located between your teeth and under the gum line where your toothbrush can’t access efficiently. You may choose to use normal floss or a water flosser at least once a day to keep your gums healthy and prevent cavities from forming between your teeth. 3. Use Antibacterial Mouthwash Rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash can help reduce the chance of that can bacteria growth that cause plaque and gum disease. Use a mouthwash after brushing and flossing to give your mouth an extra level of cleanness. This not only freshens your breath but also helps to maintain a healthy oral environment. 4. Clean after eating ’sticky foods’ Avoiding sugary, starchy, and sticky foods is crucial especially when preventing plaque buildup. For instance, candy, pastries and toffee-like texture food can stick to your teeth and promote the growth of plaque-causing bacteria. While these food are our favourite indulgence, rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after eating. 5. Stay Hydrated Drinking plenty of water throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated is important, just like our saliva, which naturally cleanses your mouth and neutralises acids produced by bacteria. Water and our saliva also helps to wash away food particles and reduce the risk of tooth decay and plaque buildup. 6. Avoid Smoking Smoking can significantly harm our general health and also our dental health. It will lead to plaque and tartar buildup, and even gum disease. 7. Clean Oral Appliances Regularly If you wear dentures, retainers, or other oral appliances, keeping them clean is essential to prevent bacteria buildup. Always remember to keep them clean by rinsing and brushing them before and after usage 8. Regular Dental Visits Finally, visit your dentist regularly—typically every four to six months for maintenance of oral health. Dentists have specialised tools to remove stubborn plaque and tartar that you can't reach at home, and they can detect any potential issues early before they become serious problems. By incorporating these tips into your daily routine and seeking regular professional care, you can maintain a healthy, beautiful smile for years to come. At Smile Design Dental Practice, we allocate sufficient time for each patient, conducting thorough tooth-by-tooth examination, taking radiographs to check between teeth, and assessing gum health. This comprehensive approach allows us to identify your dental issues accurately and customise a treatment plan tailored to your needs. For more information and consultation, please contact Smile Design Dental Practice at +65 6463 8588. To serve you better, we are available by Appointment Only . Please contact us to schedule for an appointment.

Bad breath affects our social life, and others’ impression of us. One of the most embarrassing parts is that most of the time, we ourselves are not aware of it. You can’t smell your own breath! It is too late when we notice other people’s reactions when we open our mouths. Understanding the cause(s) of your bad breath allows you to address them more effectively.

Why would you drink lemon water? In recent years, lemon water is widely accepted for the benefits that many believed to have. Lemon contains antibacterial, antioxidants properties and it is packed with the essential minerals and vitamins that are helpful for our bodies. It can help to reduce the risk of health issues, boost kidney and skin conditions, fight infections and improve our overall well-being. It is believed that when adding lemon to water, it creates a healthy concoction that provides electrolytes and hydration that our body needs. Lemon water is simply adding freshly juiced lemon to water. The ratio of lemon to water and to consume hot or cold is entirely up to the individual. Such simple concoction has created a big hype among the health-conscious group of people. People who tried many methods turned to lemon water for solution. Those who wanted to slim down but do not like to exercise may believe that as lemon is acidic, it will help to curb their appetite, burns fats and eventually slim down without needing to do much exercises. However, lemon water should be used in combination with a healthy diet and an active lifestyle to obtain results. Naturopaths believe in using natural remedies or solutions to solve their health issues. The choice of lemon is vital. You should be using organic lemons to make sure that the source of lemon is of high quality and not contaminated by any pesticides. As the preparation of lemon water is easy and lemon is conveniently sold, many people see this as a healthy beverage they can have easily.

Why does drinking lemon water become a trend? Lemon water is simply adding freshly juiced lemon to water. The ratio of lemon to water and to consume hot or cold is entirely up to the individual. Such simple concoction has created a big hype among the health-conscious group of people. It is believed that when adding lemon to water, it creates a healthy concoction that provides electrolytes and hydration that our body needs. Those who want to slim down but do not like to exercise may believe that as lemon is acidic, it will help to curb their appetite, burn fats and eventually slim down without needing to do much exercise. However, lemon water should be used in combination with a healthy diet and an active lifestyle to obtain results. People who tried many (weight loss) methods had turned to lemon water for solution. Naturopaths believe in using natural remedies or solutions to solve their health issues. The choice of lemon is vital. You should be using organic lemons to make sure that the source of lemon is of high quality and not contaminated by any pesticides. As the preparation of lemon water is easy and lemon is conveniently sold, many people see this as a healthy beverage they can have easily.

The food trap is one of the most common complains we hear. It happens during eating when food got trapped in between your teeth. Sometimes you can remove them, but most of the time you can’t do it without flossing. This food trap may eventually lead to tooth decay or gum inflammation if left untreated. You may have experienced some embarrassing moments where a piece of salad green is trapped in between your teeth are visible to others but you may not even notice it. It can be annoying and creating discomfort when there is a big chunk of steak trapped at the back of your teeth. Apart from the awkward moments of food trap, sometimes when the food trap gets to the gums, it can irritate the gums, causing your gums to swell and sore. Although it is common, it is not normal. There are many contributing reasons for the food trap issue.

It must be exciting to prepare yourself to get pregnant. While many women go for medical checkups, it may not occur to you that dental health is as important too. At Smile Design Dental Practice, we pay special attention to our pregnant patients as well as those who are planning for a baby. Hormonal changes are expected during pregnancy. However we will not know how much it will affect you, in terms of overall well-being, appetite, mood swings, body changes and oral condition. It is common for pregnant women to experience swollen and bleeding gums. If you already have such issues before you get pregnant, chances for these issues to magnify during pregnancy are much higher.